Improvement in corsets



B. S. SMITH.

CO'RSETS.

Patented July 18. 1876.

INVENTOBI WITNESSES.

-N.PEIERS, PHOTO-UTHDGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, Dv C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BERNANDO s. SMITH, or PROVIDENCE, RHo E ISLAND, ASSIGNOR To SARAH L. SMITH, or SAME PLAoE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CORS'ETS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 179,968, dated July 18, 1876; application filed March 16, 1876.

drawings like letters My invention consists in combining with a 4 corset adjustable shonlder-stra1')s, terminating with a hook or pin, by which the skirts are supported; and, also, in strengthening and protecting the. corset steels or clasps by'fastening to the under one a broader piece of metal to resist strain or pressure.

The corset A may be made in any of the shapes commonly known, and is provided with straps B, passing over the shoulders, and which are connected on the back by the crosspiece a, to prevent them from slipping from the shoulders. The straps B pass through the slides G, and form a loop by means of the buckles D. By sliding this buckle-upon the strap B this loop is made longer or shorter, as may be desired, and so the straps B are adjusted ,to any desired length. Through the rings of the slides 0 pass the front straps E, for supporting the skirt. of these front straps is permanently fastened to the corset A. The other end of each front strap, as also the ends of the straps B upon the back of the corset, terminate with a hook, F. 'The straps B and E pass between theexterior of the corset and its lining, and through the apertures c to the outside. A free vertical motion of these straps within the corset can thus be had, enabling the proper adjustment of the skirt-supporter.

The hook F consists of a sharp-pointed spring-Wire, bent as fully shown in Fig. 3. It is secured to a loop at the end of the strap B or E, and has a coil or twist, d, to give elasticity to the tongue 0. A guard, f, fastens the tongue in place, and covers its sharp point.

One end, I), ot'eaeh (See Fig.3.) The tongue is .unsprung from the guard, and is thrust through the waistbands of the skirts, and is then sprung Within the guard again, so holding the skirts securely. r I

It,is obvious that, instead of this arrangement of the hook and pin, a hook and eye, or button and loop, or other similar'contrivance, would be useful.

This skirt-supporting device may be used, also, in connection with a waist instead of a corset, but would obviously, as thus used, be within my invention.

4 shows the clasps G G of the corset, which are fastened together in the usual manner when WOI1I15-bLll3 l strengthen the clasp G by a clasp-protector, H, consisting of a piece of steel, or other suitable metal, of the same shape as the clasp Gr, but made broader, and thus affording a support for both the clasps. The pieces G and H are fastened together as shown in Fig. 5. The protector H, near its ends, is cut halfway across, and the narrow end piece so cut is folded over upon the clasp G, and holds it and piece H firmly to each other. Midway atintervals may be one or more projecting pieces, 9, of the protector H, folded back upon the clasp G in a similar manner.

The purpose of this proteetoris to prevent the breakage which frequently results from the bending ofthe body, and also to strengthen the clasps G G in position.

I therefore claim as a novel and useful in- I vention, and desire to secure by Letters Paten t- Y 1. The shoulder-straps B, adjustable by 

